LMS has a one match ban for contact with the referee during the scuffle following Martin upending Lomax which absolutely should have resulted in a card based on how the game was refereed last year, but dont think Mata'utia picked up a ban in the final? Theres nothing in the disciplinary books (not that the RFL make it easy to search or be in any way useful of course ...)
I suppose we'll see what happens with Percival when the WCC and start of the season is here, but I too have concerns over his long term fitness. Just got to hope by the time he plays his 1st game he's over the injury and plays the majority of the season. It should be a position of strength with Percival, Hopoate and Hurrell but we've been very unfortunate at Centre the last 12 months.
Originally Posted by Despondent Dave
Yeah it is a bit of a silly loophole. It's how the bans are worded, it's a ban towards any games a player is eligible to play in and as any first team player could play reserves it counts if there is no first team game that same week. I do think they should separate it but I don't think they will.
Cold one tonight! I thought Bell was the pick of the bunch for us, solid defensively as always and some really smart play on a couple of occasions ball in hand. Sironen was industrious and effective and Jumah Sambou had a great game, it's a shame he was injured last year off that showing as he would have got at least half a dozen games. I thought Wingfield and Norman both added off the bench, Norman in particular putting a bit more of a dent in the line than we have seen previously. When the second half came it was difficult to really judge anyone with the chopping and changing but both Baxter and Delaney played hard, Lane dealt with a couple of testing kicks and Pemberton's distribution was sharp though I'd like to see him run more.
All in all, a 'fine' run out for a pre season game and the minutes will do a few players right ahead of St George.
News on Ritson and Wes thingy?
Ritson didn't really get much opportunity to run in open space. Did well to get back and clean up a kick through in the second half and returned it a good 30/40m as a highlight of his night, I though Sambou was the better winger overall. You can see he's rapid though and it'll be good to see him fly. That edge of Davies/Ritson got exposed positionally a few times but I think it was problems inside Ritson rather than him.
Bruines was quiet, didn't really do much but at the same time didn't really do much wrong. He only came on at half time and by that point it was a reserves team that moved closer towards an academy team by the end.
Cheers for that, BS.
As mentioned Ritson didn't get the chance to show us his speed but you could sense the crowd lift when he got the ball, could be a good signing, Always looking to take the ball in on first tackle never did anything wrong?
Pretty accurate. Sambou was my main take away from the game. He looked a lot bigger and stronger than his last game and did a lot of work. I know it was Widnes but Sambou now looks ready .
Wingfield showed how dynamic he is and not just "a middle". He came on after about 20 mins worked as a prop. Then when Lussick got sin binned he did a small shift at hooker and looked good, I actually thought he looked better than Lussick. Then when Pemberton came on he went to Loose forward and started running more dynamically and passing more (like a lock).
I thought Baxter looked reasonable, he ran strong.
Peposhi, who is a forward from the academy got 5 mins at the end and didn't look out of place.
Ritson ran up with the ball a bit but didn't do a great deal. However, he didnt get shown up in defence or made to look stupid under a high ball so they are positives.
I could agree with you but then we would both be wrong.
Sambou carried very well out of his own end. His edge did get caught for a break pre lussick yellow but beyond that and an overly hopeful offload he was very good
James Bell, as others have mentioned, by far the best out there with some great tip on plays for breaks
Ritson did alright, carried ok. Did very well to mop up when lane was out of position and the half break off of that got us rolling in the set leading to Bells try
Delaney put in some massive carries when we were getting a bit stuck in our end in his spell. He looks like he is going to be a very good player - looks a bit Matty Lees with more potential for yards
Came on to offer my thoughts but they were pretty much exactly this. Sambou was very impressive and I thought Norman and Lewis Baxter were excellent. Bell MOM.
I was intrigued to see Bruines but on this evidence he looks a bit raw and I wouldn't expect to see much of him in the first team for the time being.
Any idea how many turned up.
5768 according to the Saints website.